North Walney

North Walney Nature Reserve lies on Walney Island in the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness. It covers 646.5 hectares of coastal land shaped by glacial sediments and erosion. The reserve protects a sand dune system alongside salt marsh and intertidal mudflats. One-fifth of the country’s natterjack toads live here, making it a key habitat for this rare amphibian. The Duddon Estuary, which includes North Walney, has been designated a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive. It was once a separate Site of Special Scientific Interest before merging with other sites. The reserve’s importance comes from its varied habitats and its role in supporting threatened wildlife. The sand dunes and mudflats provide feeding grounds for birds protected under European law. The natterjack toads breed in seasonal pools that form in the dunes after rain. The reserve also supports other species that rely on the estuary’s rich ecosystem. Its protection helps maintain biodiversity across the region. Visitors walk along paths that wind through dunes and salt marsh, offering views of the estuary and Morecambe Bay. The landscape changes with the tides, revealing mudflats at low water and flooding the marshes at high tide. Interpretive signs explain the reserve’s geology and wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot waders and seabirds feeding along the shore. The reserve’s quiet atmosphere contrasts with the busy industrial areas nearby.